Reflexive Pronouns & Intensive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns and intensive pronouns are kind of like identical twins. They look the same, but they're actually different. Both of them end in -self or -selves

So, what is the difference between these two pronouns? Let's explore that fascinating question!

These pronouns are objects that are used to refer to the subject of the sentence. They are a necessary part of the sentence.

Myself is referring to the subject which is I.

Ourselves is referring to the subjects which, in this sentence, are the words sister and I.

Notice that these pronouns must be used with an antecedent. An antecedent is the word that a pronoun is referring to.

Since these pronouns always refer to the subject of the sentence, their antecedents will always be the subject.

Got it? Good! Now, it's time for intensive pronouns.

Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize another noun or pronoun. They are also called emphatic appositives.

That means that they do not need to refer to the subject. They can refer to any old noun or pronoun in the sentence.

The intensive pronoun himself is referring to the noun President which is an object of the preposition.

Here, the intensive pronoun herself is referring to sister which is the subject of the sentence. Notice that you could take herself out of the sentence, and it would still make sense.

Since an intensive pronoun is used for emphasis, it is not necessary to the sentence. It does not give us any new information.

You could take out an intensive pronoun from a sentence, and the sentence would still make sense.

Sometimes, people think that myself "sounds" better than I when used as the subject. I can tell you with complete certainty that you should never use myself as a subject. Just don't do it, folks.

Note that you can use the intensive pronoun myself after you've already said I. That's legit. But it can't be used all alone as the subject. 

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